Normally, when you think of a Washington mountain, you think of a lofty volcano or a sky splitting peak with snowy slopes and glaciers hanging all over it. Well, welcome to the east side of the state of Washington, the dry side where the mountains are lower and so is the amount of snowfall. Instead of precipitous peaks, you get peaks with the name Butte in them. Diamond Peak and Oregon Butte are the two highest peaks in this section of the state. Nothing lofty but still part of a special mountain range that gave early settlers and those plying the Oregon trail, lots of trouble and hardship, the Blue Mountains.
Established in 1978, the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness is composed of 177,412 acres, of which 110,995 are in Washington, the remainder in Oregon. Though its northernly trailheads are only 150 miles from Spokane, this area of the Blue Mountains is seldom visited by humans. Unless one is in the wilderness in late October and early November during the elk hunting season, it is common to cover miles of trails without seeing another human.
The area consists of horizontal basalt flows thousands of feet thick that have been deeply and steeply eroded by streams. Trails either follow the broad rolling ridgetops near 6,000 feet or parallel the streams 2,000 to 3,000 feet below. Scenic vistas are common on all ridge trails and along the Wenaha River. Camping areas are determined by water availability. Most high-elevation springs identified on the maps remain flowing even during dry summers, though some may require a steep descent from the trail or they may be only a murky trickle. With summer temperatures into the 90s and water sources sometimes over 5 miles apart, the hiker is advised to carry more than the usual quart bottle of water.
The area is relatively dry and is sparsely forested on south-facing slopes. The western half receives more preceptiation and thus is more hevily forested. Trails are generally snow-free by late June, although the higher elevations in the western sections often have snow into July.
Aside from the rugged basalt canyons, the characteristic that makes this area unique for Inland Northwest hikers is the large number of Rocky Mountain elk. At times it is common to see over a dozen per day along the trails.
The dry climate makes mosquitoes rare, but horseflies can be bothersome. Don't confuse them with the unusually large number of hummingbirds that choose these mountains as their breeding grounds. Rattlesnakes are common at lower elevations.
The flora is the same as one would expect to find anywhere else in eastern Washington, although the Mountain Mahogany is found nowhere else in the state. Grand furs seem to outnumber to Douglas furs, and yew trees grow in profusion along the streams. Beautiful Ponderosa pine-grass parklands cover the higher slopes above the Wenaha River in the southeast corner's Smooth Ridge / Moore Flat area.
Campgrounds near trailheads are small and primitive. Reaching and trailhead will involve a 10- to 30-mile drive over dusty roads, either south from the Pomeroy, Washington, area or from Dayton, Washington. Oregon approaches are all off Forest Road No. 62. These roads are generally poorly marked, and in Washington only, their southern most portions are included on the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness map. State highway maps are useless here. The visitor is advised to obtain USGS 1:100,000 meter scale topo map of the area for information on approach roads.
Camp William T. Wooten State Park covers 40 acres and 4,100 feet of freshwater shoreline. Facilities include the Environmental Learning Center buildings, an archery range, a campfire circle, an interpretive trail, an indoor swimming pool, a man-made lake, two outdoor interpretive shelters, and a multipurpose field and athletic court.
Location - Camp Wooten State Park, in southeast Washington, is located in Columbia County, 45 miles southeast of Dayton on the Tucannon River in the Blue Mountains.
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| Oregon Butte Lookout |
Oregon Butte is the highest peak in the southeastern part of Washington State and is the highest peak in the Washington section of the Blue Mountain range. It isn't a difficult nor technical peak but it is one of those special places that make you feel like staying awhile and just kicking back. No lofty summit but plenty of views in all directions. If you live in the southeastern part of Washington State, the Blue Mountains are the peaks closest to home.
This is a well maintained trail with the beginning portions located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and the trail begins at Teepee Trailhead. Within its three mile length, this trail climbs and descends across a ridge and through a saddle toward Oregon Butte. From the log water trough, the trail climbs for 1/2 mile to Oregon Butte Lookout. Oregon Butte area is heavily traveled during hunting seasons. Hunters should be aware that this is one of the first snow hit areas on the District and it is hazardous to get out of the trailhead at this time of the year. This trail gives access to Oregon Butte, offering a breath taking view of almost 360 degree radius of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, as well as, access to a large middle section of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. The traveler is greeted with a beautiful view at Teepee trailhead, and as they travel further along the ridge top, more scenic views await them. One of the fresh attractions is a large log spring fed watering trough located below Oregon Butte.
Oregon Butte Lookout: At one time there were 200 gable-roof L-4 lookouts throughout the Northwest (pre-1933), and now fewer than 15 remain. Built in 1931, Oregon Butte Lookout on the Umatilla National Forest in southeastern Washington is one of them. Accessible only by trail, it is located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and was in active status until 1972. In 1980 the structure was restored and has since been regularly staffed by volunteers.
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| Diamond Peak Trail |
Diamond Peak is close to Oregon Butte and only 8 feet lower. This is one of those hikes (not a climb) that is a good one for taking children or even a spouse who doesn't normally care to hike on. It avoids the radical ups and downs of other routes and is suitable for families. It can be doen as a day trip or as an overnighter and has several options for side trips.
About the Trail:
From the parking area, walk south up a short, steep path less than 200 yards from the well-used Misery
Diamond Trail.
Side trips on this route include a scramble to the summit of Diamond Peak, which is a 200-foot elevation gain above the main trail. Also, Trail No. 6144 north from Diamond Peak trailhead offers good views of the upper Tucannon River Drainage, and Trail No. 3124, heading south from Trail No. 6144, offers a good overlook of the Melton Creek drainage from its first switchback.
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| Summit of Puffer Butte |
Fields Spring State Park is a 792-acre forested camping park remotely located four miles south of the bustling burg of Anatone, way down in the southeast corner of Washington state. A portion of the park sits at a height of 4,500 feet atop Puffer Butte and offers a spectacular view of three states and the Grande Ronde River.
Fields Spring State Park covers nearly 800 acres and offers 20 standard campsites with two primitive sites, 14 picnic sites, two picnic/warming shelters, a trailer dump, 7.5 miles of cross county skiing, three miles of hiking trails, a sled run and lighted tubing hill, two Snow-Park lots, a shop, and two environmental learning centers (ELCs); WoHeLo, with a capacity of 20 campers, and Puffer Butte, with a capacity of 80.
Location - Fields Spring State Park, in southeast Washington, is located 4.5 miles south of Anatone, off Highway 129, overlooking the Grand Ronde River.
This quiet oasis of rounded, forest-covered hills lies on the precipitous edge of some of the most dramatic scenery in the state of Washington. From the open crest of Puffer Butte, the highest point in the park, you can gaze east and allow your eyes to follow the contours of the land as it descends more than 3,000 feet to the canyon of the Snake River. Sharp eyes can catch a glimpse of its glistening waters so far below. To the south, hidden from view by the very steepness of the hillsides, the earth falls away at your feet, plunging with Grand Canyon suddenness to the very dramatic Grande Ronde River.
Fields Spring features 4,500-foot Puffer Butte, a volcanic butte at the origin of the Columbia River basalt flows, and ponderosa pine and shrub-steppe habitats with exceptional wildflower displays and diverse bird life. Atop 4,500-foot Puffer Butte in the Blue Mountains, this 792-acre jewel is a camper's delight, set amid old-growth forest of ponderosa pine, larch and fir. It is known for wonderful wildflower displays in May and June and offers seven miles of hiking/biking trails. Trailside views of three states and the Grande Ronde River are jaw-droppers.
It isn't a busy place; it is a place to relax, look at flowers, watch birds (some 50 species), maybe see a deer, elk or even a bear, and forget city life.
History
Puffer Butte was named for Mr. and Mrs. Puffer, homesteaders who every morning climbed the neighboring Peterson Butte to watch for
Indians passing in the canyon below. If Indians were spotted, the Puffers moved their livestock to the top of Puffer Butte and left
them there until the Indians passed through.
In 1974, 70 percent of the park's Douglas fir and white fir were damaged by a Tussock Moth infestation and had to be removed.
Fields Spring State Park covers nearly 800 acres and offers 20 standard campsites with two primitive sites, 14 picnic sites, two picnic/warming shelters, a trailer dump, 7.5 miles of cross county skiing, three miles of hiking trails, a sled run and lighted tubing hill, two Snow-Park lots, a shop, and two environmental learning centers (ELCs); WoHeLo, with a capacity of 20 campers, and Puffer Butte, with a capacity of 80.
Located 30 miles south of Clarkston, Hwy 129, the park is 4000 ft above Grande Ronde River. Puffer Butte rises 500 feet above providing good views of Grande Ronde Gorge south to the Wallowa Mountains; east into canyons of Idaho; and west into the Blue Mountains. Consists of 792.2 acres of forested land. There are bears in the park. All food must be stored properly. Pets on a leash only. This Washington State Park is open year round. Ranger in residence.
Grande Ronde River
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| Grande Ronde River |
Not far from Puffer Butte is the Grande Ronde River.
The Grande Ronde River is a tributary of the Snake River, approximately 180 mi (290 km) long, in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington in the United States. It drains an area on the east side of the Blue Mountains on the Columbia Plateau, flowing through the agricultural Grande Ronde Valley in its middle course and through a series of scenic canyons in its lower course.
The Grande Ronde is a beautiful little river flowing from Oregon through the Blue Mountains to its confluence at the Snake River. There are three commercial areas at the Grand Ronde: Troy, Oregon; Boggans Oasis; and Heller Bar where it meets the Snake River. This river is also good for its fishing: primarily it is known for its Summer and Winter Steelhead but the Ronde also holds a surprising amount of Rainbow Trout of 14 to 15 inches.
The road from Lewiston, ID to Enterprise, OR is called the Enterprise-Lewiston Highway and consists of WA SR 129 and OR SR3. It's a road worth taking. Just be sure you have enough gas for about 80 miles and that you and your vehicle can handle hundreds of switchbacks, soaring heights, steep drops, and lumber trucks coming at you on 2/3rd of the road width.
OR 82 from Enterprise to Grande takes you past the Wallowa range, a fearsome obstacle on the old Oregon Trail. Then it's I-84. Steep climbs and drops, probably an awful road to drive in the winter. But we enjoyed temperatures in the seventies and beautiful sunshine.